Never Give Up: A Prairie Family's Story

by Tom Brokaw

In this moving story, the New York Times bestselling author of The Greatest Generation chronicles the values and lessons he absorbed from his parents and other people who worked hard to build lives on the prairie during the first half of the twentieth century.

“In our fractured times, this inspiring book reminds us how we can rise to meet our current challenges by honoring the fortitude of the generations before us.”—Walter Isaacson

Tom’s father, Red, left school in the second grade to work in the family hotel—the Brokaw House, established in Bristol, South Dakota, by R. P. Brokaw in 1883. Eventually, through work on construction jobs, Red developed an exceptional talent for machines. Tom’s mother, Jean, was the daughter of a farmer who lost everything during the Great Depression. They met after a high school play, when Jean played the lead and Red fell in love with her from the audience. Although they didn’t have much money early in their marriage, especially once they had three boys at home, Red’s philosophy of “Never give up” served them well. His big break came after World War II, when he went to work for the Army Corps of Engineers building great dams across the Missouri River, magnificent structures like the Fort Randall and the Gavins Point dams. Late in life, Red surprised his family by recording his memories of the hard times of his early life, reflections that inspired this book.

Tom Brokaw is known as one of the most successful people in broadcast journalism. Throughout his legendary career, Brokaw has always asked what we can learn from world events and from our history. Within Never Give Up is one answer, a portrait of the resilience and respect for others at the heart of one American family’s story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Autobiography

160 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2023

About the author

Thomas John Brokaw is an American television journalist and author, previously working on regularly scheduled news documentaries for the NBC television network, and is the former NBC News anchorman and managing editor of the program NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. His last broadcast as anchorman was on December 1, 2004, succeeded by Brian Williams in a carefully planned transition. In the later part of Tom Brokaw's tenure, NBC Nightly News became the most watched cable or broadcast news program in the United States. Brokaw also hosted, wrote, and moderated special programs on a wide range of topics. Throughout his career, he has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors.

Brokaw serves on the Howard University School of Communications Board of Visitors and on the boards of trustees of the University of South Dakota, the Norton Simon Museum, the American Museum of Natural History and the International Rescue Committee. As well as his television journalism, he has written for periodicals and has authored books. He still works at NBC as a Special Correspondent.

Reviews

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story. Mr. Brokaw weaves his families story is such a loving, caring way that sucks you in from page one and to be honest, leaves you wanting a little more by the end. Such a beautiful story of courage, endurance and lots and lots of love, I will admit that there were quite a few tears [for me] at the end and made me miss my beloved Dad even more than normal [he was of the same generation as Mr. Brokaw's parent's and had the same values and I thought of him over and over while reading this book]. What a really lovely read and a great way to spend an evening.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tom Brokaw, and Random House Publishing Group/Random House for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Roslynne Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 if I'm feeling generous. I listened to the audio book and finished it because it was very short, but I never was invested in the story. It might have been better if Brokaw had read the book. I know I'm probably an outlier here, but there just wasn't much to it. The parts about his parents and grandparents was somewhat interesting and charming, but much of the book seemed to be filler. I expected more and was disappointed.

[William de_Rham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many Americans, I have great respect and liking for Tom Brokaw. I well remember many mornings enjoying him on the Today Show over morning coffee and later on NBC Nightly News as well as his coverage of various conventions and elections. So, I was excited to learn of his newest work: “Never Give Up: A Prairie Story Family.”

It took me only several hours to read it. I enjoyed it a great deal. A 150-page memoir, it tells the story of his grandparents' and parents' lives in South Dakota during the period from just after World War I through the post-World War II years and how they were affected by the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, World War II, and the economic prosperity that followed. It’s an interesting story about hard-working, creative blue-collar Americans who employed their natural talents plus lots of grit and ingenuity to survive tough times and prosper during good ones.

Mr. Brokaw writes well. His prose is simple and straightforward, yet evocative of the times, places, and people he seeks to portray. Although the title suggests that this might be a story dwelling on hard times and injustice, possibly reminiscent of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” such is not the case. Indeed, for the most part, Mr. Brokaw tells it in an upbeat, positive manner and fills it with admiration for his family. He’s not shy about stating some of his center-left political positions, but he also gives us indications of how they came to be. He even manages to tell a pretty great story about his mother, an avowed Democrat, meeting and charming President Nixon.

All in all, a worthwhile read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but not enough reference to the “Never Give Up” title.

[Dee Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby Audiobook 3 hours Narrated by Lincoln Hoppe (A)
3.5 stars. If you are old enough to remember Brokaw's reporting on NBC, you can "hear" him in the cadence of this story,

"Never Give Up: A Prairie Family's Story" is poignant tribute by retired journalist Tom Brokaw to his parents "Red" and Jean Brokaw. Their lives were similar in many aspects to those of my own parents and grandparents during the First World War, the Depression, and World War Two. However, his family lived in South Dakota, and their lives were also complicated by frigid winters, hot dry summers, the dust bowl, and locusts. Mr. Brokaw tells us of the lessons he learned from his parents' challenges in life and the values they instilled in him and his siblings not to complain or expect help from others during hard times. "Just get up and do what is expected or demanded in life." They lived their advice; they didn't teach it. "Never give up."

"In our fractured times, this inspiring book reminds us how we can rise to meet our current challenges by honoring the fortitude of generations that preceded us. " Walter Issacson
A novel 💡 premise in a time when younger generations seem more concerned about destroying our nationed history and heritage than learning from it!

[Tammy Freed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, easy read with lots of personal perspectives and family stories of what was happening in America at the time. It was very refreshing to read about the determination and hard work ethic that was prevalent in our parents’ generation.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Brokaw gives his personal version of "The Greatest Generation," in a warm, personal family history of growing up in "flyover country," where his family's courage, endurance and love provides a spiritual and moral platform that creates a foundation for his success...Warm, fuzzy read!

[Patty Sampson-Bouchard]

Inspirational, impactful, and moving. I am so thankful for Tom Brokaws "voice" and reminding us of inspiring Americans who lived through such an amazing and challenging century. This is a good message to remember as we deal with today's challenges.

[David Crawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Grit to Amazing Success ... The familiar long-time anchor of NBC’s Nightly News has created a wonderful personal memoir which, in addition to providing a family history and nostalgic recollections of early childhood, serves as a heartfelt tribute to his gritty, hardworking, salt-of-the-earth mother and father. The writing is a folksy Midwest style – appropriate for Tom, a South Dakota native, and the location for most of the story – so enjoyed and appreciated by this Midwestern Kansas boy. The author’s reflections and comparisons at the end will make the reader long for those days gone by and wonder with concern for the future of our country. - David B. Crawley, M.D. – Author of “Steep Turn: A Physician's Journey From Clinic to Cockpit” and “A Mile of String: A Boy's Recollection of His Midwest Childhood.”

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Award winning journalist and author Tom Brokaw returns again to those he calls the greatest generation for the focus of his latest book. In “Never Give Up: a Prairie Family’s Story,” Brokaw focuses on his own family’s struggles and successes as they moved across the country in search of work and a better life.
It is a loving tribute to his family, most especially his parents, Red and Jean Brokaw, who kept the family together with love, hard work, and the “Never Give Up” ethic which gives the book its title. The various episodes of their prairie life are occasionally interspersed with the author’s description of social and political events of the day as they affected Red and Jean.
Fans of Tom Brokaw will be entertained and feel nostalgic for what might be thought of as simpler times, even though the times weren’t always simple or easy.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy for review.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about Brokaw’s family roots. His parents came from the salt of the earth generation.
I admired his father because he was a hard worker and always working, never relaxing and also didn’t complain.
His mother Jean had the same stalwart attitude.
I loved that Hayward hailed from South Dakota.
I wish the characteristics of Brokaw’s parents were still resonated because they never go out of style.
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the digital copy.

[Amy Heinert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Brokaw was ran for my Grandpa in Yankton, SD. They always stayed close. I love his books and their perspective on American history. This book has many life lessons about preserving and a belief in the American Dream from the perspective of a boy who was raised in SD and went on to anchor NBC nightly news for a quarter of a decade. I definitely cried through the part of the book where he wrote about losing his dad. This was a quick, but excellent read.

[Mary Ellen Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read and how can I give anything by Tom Brokaw a review less than 4 stars. It’s a feel good story of the Brokaw family with lessons in hard work, determination, love with a roll up your sleeves and work attitude while keeping family at the forefront. A feel good read for sure. Only downer was I listened to it on Libby and Tom Brokaw does not read it. Was hoping to hear his voice.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brokaw has done it again by chronicling the greatest generation through stories of his parents and grandparents. Besides the message of don't give up, there is also the message of don't complain. The book puts our everyday problems and complaints in perspective as the Brokaw describes the hard scrabble life of his father Red. He also places family events into historical perspective as well. A short but instructive read.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not the worst book I’ve ever read, but it’s not the best either. This was a quick read and fairly interesting, but overall just meh. 2.5 stars.

[Carol Dimitriou · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very inspiring and interesting book.

[Sherri Bjorndahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this, complete with many pictures of his grandparents, parents, and where they lived years ago.

[David Strawbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of his parent’s upbringing and ethics. They saw and survived so much and ultimately were better for it. A lovely tribute to them and the greatest generation.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little glimpse into Tom Brokaw’s family - mainly his grandparents and parents. The book didn’t go into too much detail, but gave just enough info to appreciate what his grandparents and parents went through in their respective times.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love the recognition and admiration Tom gives his parents. What a tribute to them and their never giving up!! This was a story of the American Dream.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My only quibble with this memoir by Tom Brokaw is that he didn't narrate it. That's not to denigrate the nice job by Lincoln Hoppe. He did fine.
Short, easy listen about Brokaw's ancestors, but primarily his parents. Illustrating the salt-of-the-earth people that they were and therefore where Brokaw got his values.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Brokaw has beautifully and simply told the story of his parents and grandparents as they lived hard scrabble but productive and resilient lives mainly on the South Dakota prairie, near Bristol. I knew nothing about Brokaw's growing up years, but he credits his family's strong moral foundation for helping him get to live the American success story -- boy from Yankton, SD, becomes anchor on NBC Nightly News. Brokaw's family story has many parallels to the life and times my sister and I wrote about in Under Minnesota Skies, a family history and memoir of farm life in Southeast Minnesota from the 1930s to 1970s. I would love to share it with Brokaw because, I too, became a print journalist (not famous) from a farm family whose father had only a fourth-grade education but knew how to work hard and never give up. Brokaw's lovely book includes numerous family photos that contribute to an enjoyable read, bringing back many good memories for me.

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick 3 hour listen about Brokaw’s parents and growing up in South Dakota. Would have rated higher if Brokaw was the narrator.

[Cleo Baker-Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Brokaw has always had my admiration for his excellence as a newscaster & I very much enjoyed his "The Greatest Generation," too.

"Never Give Up," gives insight into his family's history as well as a synopsis of our Country's. His writing is easy-to-read, interesting & covers a lot of ground not only for the Brokaw family but his own early years in South Dakota.

While I enjoyed reading this book, I'm not certain it was worth the $28 price tag. But it is what it is, right?

Though his political leanings were easily surmised throughout the book's pages, I was glad he waited until the end of the book to "voice" his views.

The 2-3 sessions spent reading about the very hardworking, honest Brokaw family in this very small book gave me a good understanding of the man who brought the nightly national news to millions of us for years!

[Donia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the type of book that is likely of more interest to Brokaw's relatives than to the general public. I mean no disrespect but I found my attention wandering with every page and had to constantly force myself to finish each paragraph. For readers who have never read any of the hundreds of stories about the people who settled the American plains in 19th and 20th century, then they may find this book of interest. I did not. The details of daily life for settlers on the American plains is mostly the same for the thousands who settled there. The book takes the reader through all the Brokaw family connections which was of little interest to me; the cousins, the aunts, the uncles, the siblings. I mean no disrespect, I just could not connect.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I was born 8 years after Mr. Brokaw, his family story could not help but remind me of growing up in the post WWII years. My family was more sedentery than the Brokaw's. My father served in WWII as a Boeing mechanic along with his brothers and brothers-in law. They were a tank drivers for Patton, a medic in the South Pacific, and a tail gunner in a B-17 ( the only one to perish in the war ). I thought they walked on water and marveled at how uncle Gay ( Gerhard achieved this nickname long before it had another meaning ) could roll a cigarette with one hand. My mother and father were first generation Americans. (Immigrant is not a dirty word to me in our xenophobic world .) Father - Norwegian, mother Norwegian and Eastern European. The were born and lived all their lives in rural Iowa. My father wanted to become a physician, but had to quit school in the 10th grade to farm for his mother when his father passed away. Mother was a talented pianist, but became a "hired-girl" ( translate to servant ) for the local doctor because there was no money for education in Minneapolis. They married on Christmas day in 1936 at the height of the depression and lived with and farmed for dad's mother. In 1937 because they could not find a farm to rent, they packed all their worldly goods in a car and headed for Alaska. While helping my mother's uncle harvest wheat in North Dakota they received word that their church had inherited a farm. My father could farm it if he wanted. They turned around and went home. Until my father retired at age 70 he was a tenant farmer ( translate to share-cropper ). I did not know we were poor. Every year our garden grew larger. We teased my mother that some day we would not have a lawn. We had hens for eggs, cows for milk, a hogs and beef cattle for meat, (there was a meat locker in the local town where you could rent freezer space and my aunt rendered the lard in return for half her output ) and 100 fryers ( chickens ). When I was old enough I was part of the one-day assembly line that butchered and packaged those chickens - I was the feather plucker. Because any improvements to our house were at our own expense, I remember the out-house we used until I was 10. One day my father came home from a farm sale with a claw-foot tub he intended to use as a cattle watering tank. My mother said absolutely not - hence we had our bathtub. There was no such thing as being paid for doing jobs on the farm. I think I had a quarter a week for treats until I reached my teens and could babysit for a quarter an hour. I never let my father forget the time he picked a half-mile ( down and back ) of field corn and forgot to put the endgate in the wagon. Guess who picked up the corn... my mother drove the manure spreader ( it was lower than the wagon so I could pitch the ears into it more easily ) while I picked up two full loads of corn. My mother baked all our bread, canned fruits and vegetables, and sewed all my clothes except for winter coats. We ate like kings and had the latest fashions via Butterick paterns. Because my parents could not have the education they so wanted, they began saving for my college education when they brought me home. I attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where we had a guaranteed cost of $2200 a year for classes, room & board. With a $600 loan and a $500 scholarship, I worked on campus. In the 1960's you were not paid directly for your work. The money was applied to tuition. The bill my parents ultimately received for my second semester senior year was $7.00. Working hard was a learned behavior. I gratefully taught at St. Olaf for over 30 years. Not too bad for a share-cropper's daughter. Sorry to ramble on, but Mr. Brokaw's story took me on a trip down memory lane. I recommend the book. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Tamara Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Never Give Up: A Prairie Family Story” is a nonfiction book focusing on sharing values and lessons former journalist and author Tom Brokaw learned from his parents during their lifetimes and during his childhood in South Dakota.

The book consists of a preface, fourteen chapters divided into three parts, an epilogue, acknowledgements. and photo credits.

In the preface, author and former journalist Tom Brokaw writes about America’s long history of political and cultural challenges and how these issues have previously been overcome by shared values against assaults on common destines. Brokaw ends the preface by sharing how the struggles faced by his working-class family including the Great Depression, wars, and racial upheaval lead to financial and personal caution but also instilled in him the enduring lesson to never give up.

Part one of the book consists of background on how Brokaw’s great-grandfather R.P. Brokaw ended up in South Dakota, the birth of Brokaw’s father, Anthony “Red” Orville Brokaw, the arrival of Brokaw’s mother, Eugenia “Jean” Baker Conley, and details on how as teenagers, Red began courting Jean after seeing her in a school play. After getting married in 1937, Red and Jean expand their family with the birth of their son Tom (the author) in 1944. With World War II occurring, Bill moved the family to the Black Hills Ordinance Depot (aka Igloo) to find work after the Great Depression. Part one ends with the ending of World War II and the Brokaw family of five (now with younger son brothers Bill and Mike) following the Corps of Engineers as they began building a dam on the Missouri River.

Part two begins with the Brokaw family arriving at Fort Randall located across from the Missouri
River and moving into a newly created community called Pickstown. After five years living and working in Pickstown, Red begins to have piercing back pain due to years of heavy lifting. After having two back surgeries, Red is worried about his working future with the dam soon being completed and the town closing down. Part two ends with Red being surprised when the commanding general of the dam project asks him Red to follow them to Gavin’s Point Dam in Yankton, South Dakota and gives Red a promotion to foreman.

Part three begins with Brokaw providing a history of the city of Yankton, South Dakota. In Yankton, Brokaw writes of his first exposure to household television and of being transformed by seeing two television news hosts on the same broadcast with one anchor in Washington and one anchor in New York. In this part of the book, Brokaw provides background on his high school years as well as how he met his wife, Meredith, his tumultuous college years and the early years of his journalism career. Part three ends with the death of Red and Jean and Brokaw reflecting on the tenacity and perseverance of his parents and for the example they set for him and his brothers regarding how to survive during times of adversity.

In the epilogue, Brokaw describes how Red and Jean’s tale is not unusual for that generation. As I finished this book, I found it ironic how although this book was written in 2023, Brokaw makes points relevant in 2025 such as the country being more divided than united, and that the American Dream has not faltered and that the American ideal remains a goal. I enjoyed this book due to Brokaw's matter-of-fact writing style and the addition of family photos whch helped add depth to
his family's story.

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Brokaw shares the story of his family, notably his father, Red, as he grew up in the South Dakota prairie. Tom traces Red's family history, and that of his grand dad and grandmother too. Growing up, Red was tasked with many chores, so much so that he had to quit formal schooling in 2nd grade. We, who live cushy lives, have no idea what it took to survive in a harsh environment. The Brokaw family was lucky enough to establish an inn at a crossroads in Bristol, South Dakota. That didn't mean a carefree life for Red. The chores he was tasked with seemed as though they never ended. But Red had an aptitude for all things mechanical, and eventually he found himself invaluable to neighbors seeking help with their machines.
There's the sweet story of Red and Tom's mother, Jean, and their love story that took them, after WWII, to work for the Army Corps of Engineers building dams across the Missouri River, and to raise 3 boys, one of whom became a well known broadcast journalist.

Tom reflects on how Native Americans were ill treated in South Dakota.

"In South Dakota the two worlds, American Indian and Caucasian, remain separate and unequal, divided by race, culture, and history. Sylvan and I had an awkward reunion and farewell, so far removed from our carefree adolescence.
Before I left, I asked if his family spoke their native language at home when we were kids. He nodded.
'How come I didn't know that?' I asked.
He gave me a small smile and said, 'We had to keep something from you white boys.'
Not long after, I heard that Sylvan was gone. He was not yet forty.

During a trip back to South Dakota as an adult, I drove across the Pine Ridge Sioux reservation and stopped at the home of an Indian who was selling local art. Roger Scabby Face was sitting beneath a homespun shade made of willow branches. He had a droll sense of humor not unusual in the Sioux culture. When I pointed to the willow branches and said, 'I can't remember what you call this.,' Roger looked the willows over and turned to me and said, 'We Indians call it 'shade.'

It wasn't until I left that part of South Dakota that I fully realized the conflicted role of the Sioux in relation to the nineteenth-century US Army base just across the river from the dam. All that was left of the base was the skeletal remains of the chapel, which by then was a ghostly chalk structure."

A wonderful story of grit and resilience and what it took to survive in the harsh South Dakota prairie. Tom always delivers.

[Janelle Bailey]

62: Never Give Up: A Prairie Family's Story by Tom Brokaw

The enjoyment of reading a book by an author whose voice is so well-known is that even though I read the book myself, rather than listening to an audiobook, Brokaw's voice came through clearly, him really narrating his book for me anyway.

This is the down-home, fresh and fortitude-filled story of Brokaw's father, Red's, very young--like age 6--start at work and building a foundation for his family to come. Eventually Tom's mother became his wife, and then Tom and his two brothers made them a family of five, and all of this in the great state of South Dakota and many years and projects and politics ago. The grounding and foundation built and work ethic begun then and by Red definitely inspired Tom and his family into the future.

This part of Brokaw's story is about how things began back around and through the 1920s, Red's growing up and working his way into and through the building and development of South Dakota towns as well as his own foundational principles...and then passing on the best of that to Tom and his brothers.

I thought about many of the details of my own childhood and lessons taught by my grandparents, and I think that this is a great read for anyone to share with their elders, reading a chapter at a time and fully allowing for their own reflection on and connections, comparisons to Brokaw's stories, such that the best of the memories of these important individuals in our own lives might be documented for family posterity as well.

There is much good in this easy to read and relatively short book for all to discuss and share.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Brokaw decided to write the story of his parents. His father, Red, worked at the family hotel and then at a series of construction jobs before meeting Tom's mother, Jean, after seeing her at a play. The couple did not have a lot of money at first, but after the breakout of World War II and Red went to work for the Army Corps of Engineers, the family (which then included 3 boys) found their fortunes had improved.

It was mildly interesting for the story of a generation now mostly, if not entirely, gone and how someone like Brokaw could come from such humble beginnings. Overall I would say this was probably definitely of interest to those who want to know more about Brokaw or this particular generation, but if you're looking for more or anything about Brokaw himself, this is not your book.

I suppose I was a little disappointed because I thought it would be more about the family's struggles and lessons they learned instead of a memoir. Which is fine, but it may depend on what the reader is looking for out of this book.

As mentioned, this is probably mostly for those interested in Brokaw's background but it does not cover his journalism or life very much (it's very much about his parents). And in fairness, he has other books that do already cover this ground so this is more of a completionist work.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.